Method for securing an electrically operated parking brake

Abstract

A method for securing an electrically operated parking brake, characterized by the following steps: monitoring an operating variable which is relevant for the proper functioning of the parking brake; ascertaining/determining whether the operating variable exceeds a predefined threshold value; and prompting the driver to carry out a certain action as a function of the value of the operating variable, the action including the engagement of the gear or the operation of the foot service brake. Also described is a control unit for carrying out the described method.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for securing an electrically operated parking brake, the method comprising:
 monitoring, by a control unit, including a processor, an operating variable which is relevant for the proper functioning of the parking brake; 
 determining, by the control unit, whether the operating variable exceeds a predefined threshold value; and 
 prompting, by the control unit, the driver to perform a certain action as a function of the value of the operating variable, the certain action including the engagement of the gear or the operation of the foot service brake, wherein the prompting of the driver to perform the certain action occurs one of (i) simultaneously with an activation of the parking brake or (ii) after the activation of the parking brake. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein multiple threshold values are predefined and the driver is prompted to carry out different actions, depending on which threshold value is exceeded. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the driver is prompted to engage the gear or to operate the foot service brake if the value of the operating variable exceeds the first and the second threshold values. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the driver is prompted to engage the gear or to operate the foot service brake if the value of the operating variable is between a first and a second threshold value. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the operating variable includes at least one of the road gradient, a vehicle electrical system voltage, and a brake temperature. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5 , wherein when monitoring the brake temperature, a first threshold value is between approximately 60° C. and 80° C., and a second threshold value is between approximately 80° C. and 120° C. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 5 , wherein when monitoring the brake temperature, a first threshold value is at approximately 70° C., and a second threshold value is at approximately 100° C. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein when monitoring the road gradient, a first threshold value is at an approximately 10% grade, and a second threshold value is at an approximately 20% grade. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , wherein when monitoring the vehicle electrical system voltage, a first threshold value is between approximately 8 V and 10 V, and a second threshold value is between approximately 6 V and 8 V. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1 , wherein when monitoring the vehicle electrical system voltage, a first threshold value is at approximately 9 V, and a second threshold value is at approximately 7 V. 
     
     
       11. A control unit, including a processor, comprising:
 a securing arrangement to secure an electrically operated parking brake, wherein the securing arrangement is configured to monitor an operating variable which is relevant for the proper functioning of the parking brake, determine whether the operating variable exceeds a predefined threshold value, and prompt the driver to carry out a certain action as a function of the value of the operating variable, the certain action including the engagement of the gear or the operation of the foot service brake, wherein the prompting of the driver to perform the certain action occurs one of (i) simultaneously with an activation of the parking brake or (ii) after the activation of the parking brake.